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Dogs and the Compost Pile

I have two beautiful Cocker Spaniels at home. They're my first "grown up" dogs and I insisted on getting show-style cockers because we always had the field type cockers when I was a kid. I wanted cockers, but I wanted the pretty ones. Now, I'm paying for it - literally. ($90 per dog per grooming - every 6 weeks)

My dogs are like the freakin' Gypsy Vanners of the dog world. They have these long, drag on the ground, skirts of hair that pick up everything. And I'm not one to stifle their fun so even with their long skirts they go out in the mud and are often outside with me while I'm working.

Yesterday I had them with me as I was doing yard work and they found the compost pile. Oh.my.God. I think there are still a season's worth of leaves in their coats. And they stink - BADLY! This is the first time I've considered shaving them.

Is there any other options for keeping the hair but maintaining my sanity?

My Pom gets her legs shaved and her undercarriage raised. Makes it much easier to keep her clean than when she resembled a dust mop. I wouldn't completely shave them all over but if you can make your lives easier with a little clip I say go for it.